Pak. J. Bot., 49(5): 1697-1707, 2017.

GROWTH ATTRIBUTES AND DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF HALOPHYTIC LAEVIGATUS L. ALONG SALINITY AND ALTITUDE GRADIENTS

MEHWISH NASEER1, MANSOOR HAMEED1, FAROOQ AHMAD1 AND SHAHZAD MAQSOOD AHMAD BASRA2

1Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan 2Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

Abstract

To examine the growth response and distributional pattern of a potential hydro-halophyte, Cyperus laevigatus L., a detailed survey of Punjab province was conducted. Sixteen habitats possessing different salinity and altitude levels were explored and different soil and eco-morphological parameters were assessed. C. laevigatus growing at Pakka Anna with heavily sat-affected sandy loam soil and low altitude showed the maximum growth, however, many other habitats with higher salinity and low altitude showed reduced growth like Sangla Hill and Sargodha as compared to Pakka Anna. Therefore, it was concluded that distribution and growth of C. laevigatus was not due to either salinity or altitude, but depends on the combined effect of many environmental factors like soil texture, ECe, altitude etc. however, the degree of tolerance of this species was extremely high not only along salinity but also with altitude.

Key words: Altitude; Cyperus laevigatus; Salinity, Growth, Ecology.

Introduction influence of salinity (Tuna et al., 2007; Lin & Bañuelos, 2015). In Pakistan, salt-affected habitats like salt marshes Wetlands are the water bodies which are formed due the and dryland salinities are characterized by salt indicator accumulation of stagnant or flowing, fresh as well as salt species including Cyperus lavigatus (Khan & Qaiser, water. Wetlands are rare and unique ecosystems that are 2006). All over the world, the most common salinity important part of global ecosystem (Koull & Chehma, 2016). indicator species are Sonneratia apetala, Allenrolfea These ecosystems provide a wide range of services related to occidentalis, Sporobolus virginicus, Atriplex spp., biodiversity, water regulation and tourism by supporting Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera many endemic and animal species (Gill et al., 2012). gymnorrhiza, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Crambe Wetlands create considerable impact on different economic maritima, , Sesuvium portulacastrum, Casuarina spp., and social aspects of any country such as tourism, industry Chenopodium album, Distichlis spicata, Hordeum and agriculture. Wetlands not only support rare species marinum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Juncus acutus, Rhizophora but are also main breeding centers for waterfowls (Khan & mucronata, Salsola vermiculata, Portulaca oleracea, Arshad, 2014). Natural wetlands are declining throughout the Salicornia europaea, Plantago media, Suaeda maritime, world due to anthropogenic activities like population Suaeda australis, Tetragonia tetragonioides and pressure, construction work, industrial effluents and use of Sarcocornia quinqueflora (Aslam et al., 2011). pesticides etc. in agriculture (Prasad, 2010). Cyperus laevigatus L., commonly called smooth flat The vegetation zones in salt marsh are very specific sedge, is perennial sedge that is distributed in subtropical and dominated by unique plants. Examples are the areas of the world with hot and arid climatic conditions. It complete dominance of Spartina alterniflora and grows mostly in aquatic habitats, particularly mud flats, Salicornia virginica in low elevation marshy habitats of flood plains and sandy coastal places, where brackish water New England (Bertness, 1991). Similarly, terrestrial and and waterlogged soils are dominant (Piwpuan et al., 2013). seaward borders are occupied by Juncus gerardi and C. laevigatus is used for making mats and for the treatment + Spartina patens (Pennings & Callaway, 1992). Disturbed of wetland systems, in which NH4 concentrations are high marshy habitat in are occupied by Distichlis (Jampeetong et al., 2012). It was hypothesized that spicata and Salicornia europaea (Bertness, 1991). The differential salinity and altitudinal gradients may distribution of these plants depends upon the plant significantly influence growth and distributional pattern of tolerance to the harsh environment of the zone and other this species in the Punjab region. C. laevigatus is an physical characteristics associated with tidal inundation important component of salt marshes supporting a number (Bertness & Ellison, 1987). Most plants that grow in of wildlife species, and this study will help to investigate wetlands and salt marshes possess adventitious root degree of tolerance in C. laevigatus, which is important to system at the sediment surface to facilitate the exchange re-vegetate disturbed habitats throughout the province due of gases like Spartina alterniflora roots penetrate in the to anthropogenic activities. uppermost 3 cm zone of the sediment (Anderson & Treshow, 1980). Some plants possess well-developed Materials and Methods aerenchyma formation in roots for transfer of oxygen from atmosphere to submerged roots (Armstrong, 1979; Cyperus laevigatus populations were explored in the Silliman, 2014.). Punjab province to investigate growth response and Salinity is an important soil feature due to which crop distributional pattern along salinity gradient. The production and environmental quality have been severely populations were collected from Rasul Headworks, affected (Ashraf & McNeilly, 2004). A salinity indicator is Bhurban, Treemu Headworks, Dape Sharif, Domeli, a sign or symptom that recommends the soil is under the Ucchkera, Baloki, Motorway 3, Kirana Hills, Khanki, 1698 MEHWISH NASEER & MANSOOR HAMEED

Sargodha, Jahlar Lake, Sangla Hill, Pakka Anna, Kalar Salt Range (and other mountainous habitats) in Pakistan Kahar Lake and Sahianwala (details are presented in mainly composed of sandstone or limestone (Abu Bakar Tables 1 & 2, Figs. 1-3). et al., 2013), and this might be a reason of dominance of Soil that adhere the roots was taken from each basic soils throughout. habitat at 10 cm depth (root-zone) to analyze the Saturation percentage ranged from 24.1-41.1, the physicochemical characteristics. For saturation higher values of saturation percentage was recorded in percentage, pH and electrical conductivity of soil, 200g soils from saline waterlogged areas like Sahianwala and of dried soil was taken for the preparation of saturation Sargodha, but Treemu and Motorway 3 showed the lower paste. Saturation percentage was determined by values (Table 1). Soil saturation percentage can be related subtracting the weight of saturated paste from dry to textural class (Aali et al., 2009), and salinity gradient weight of soil. The soil extract was used to determine may not influence this characteristic. the pH and ECe using pH/ECe meter (WTW series A huge variation was observed in electrical InoLab pH/Cond 720). The soil extract was used to conductivity (ECe) of habitats, it varied from 1.2-47.8. determine the pH and ECe using pH/EC meter (WTW The minimum ECe was recorded at Rasul, while the series InoLab pH/Cond 720). The protocol followed by maximum was at Sahianwala. Habitats like saline Moodie et al. (1959) was used to determine soil waterlogged areas, salt marshes and saline fish ponds texture. Sodium (Na+) content was determined with a showed exceptionally high ECe (Table 1). Source of flame photometer (Jenway, PFP-7), whereas Cl- salinity in salt marshes of the Salt Range is due to runoff content was determined with a digital chloride ion water that contains salts from exposed rocks and also by meter (Jenway, PCLM 3). brine springs, resulting in an accumulation of large The plants were carefully uprooted from their natural quantities of salts (Hameed et al., 2008). Lands at habitats without damaging their root for measuring Sahianwala and Pakka Anna are heavily salt-infested morphological characteristics like plant height, and fresh resulting in large non-cultivable areas (Batool & and dry weights of plants. For ecological studies, density Hameed, 2013). per unit area (1x1 m2) was calculated from 6 different sites within each habitat using quadrat method. Percent Ecological characteristics: The minimum density and cover within 1x1 m2 quadrat was estimated by visual percent cover was recorded from Rasul where vegetation observation. Associated species within C. laevigatus was very sparse and scattered (Table 3). The population population were also observed. was collected from the river bank, and this habitat might The Principal Correspondence Analysis (PCA) not be suitable for growth and propagation of C. technique was applied on different morpho-ecological laevigatus, which is a halophytic sedge (Khan & Qaiser, parameters to determine the degree of association 2006). In spite of a halophyte, it showed some growth between habitats and soil parameters and plant eco- over there, indicating its wide range of degree of morphological characteristics using XLSTAT software. tolerance to a variety of habitats. The maximum density Correlation among different parameters was assessed was observed at Sahianwala which was followed by using Microsoft Excel. Pakka Anna, however, maximum cover was noted at Pakka Anna followed by Sahianwala (Table 3). These Results habitats were heavily salt-affected where salinities ranged between 30-50 dS m-1. The high salinities Soil characteristics: A wide range of variation was seemed to be quite suitable for this species, which observed in soil physicochemical characteristics. Sandy showed dense and compact populations at both sites. loam soil texture was recorded in most of the habitats Density and percent cover was also high at sub- from where Cyperus laevigatus was collected. Loamy mountainous saltmarshes, at Jahlar Lake, cover and soils were observed in Baloki, Sangla Hill and Motorway density was relatively high than that recorded at Kalar 3, but clayey loam in Kirana Hills and Khanki. Saline Kahar Lake (Table 3). Density and cover at sub- sodic soil was recorded in Sahinwala habitat (Table 1). mountainous water bodies at lower elevations (Domeli There was no clear-cut picture about relationship between and Kirana Hills) were quite low. At higher elevation salinity gradient and soil texture. Salinity level in the (Dape Sharif), however, density and percent cover was present investigation seems to be due to natural processes about two-folds than that recorded at other sub- or anthropogenic activities on individual site rather than mountainous bodies. All these site are slightly salt- any geographical factor or soil characteristics affected with salinities ranges between 3-6 dS m-1. (Shrivastava & Kumar, 2015). Among polluted areas, Khanki had dense population of Soil pH was slightly alkaline at most of the sites (7.1- C. laevigatus than Ucchkera, which is a disturbed area 9.1), however, acidic pH (6.7-6.9) was observed in only due to anthropogenic activities. This indicated that toxic three habitats (Treemu, Sangla Hill and Motorway 3) metal ions may hamper the growth and propagation of (Table 1). Soil formation from original source by C. laevigatus. There are some earlier reports on adverse weathering of rocks is responsible for the soil pH, when effect of toxic metal on some other halophytes e.g., Chai rocks are rich in silica etc., becomes acidic and when et al. (2013) in Spartina alterniflora and Mnasri et al. contains large amount of limestone or calcium carbonates, (2015) in Sesuvium portulacastrum, but no work till has it will be more alkaline (Schoonover & Crim, 2015). The been reported on C. laevigatus. GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF HALOPHYTIC ALONG SALINITY & ALTITUDE 1699

Riverbanks

10 cm

Rasul

Temperate mountains

10 cm

Bhurban

Seasonal inundations

Treemu

10 cm

10 cm

Baloki

Saline polluted waters

Ucchkera

10 cm

Khanki

10 cm

Fig. 1. Cyperus laevigatus collection sites from riverbanks, temperate mountains, seasonal inundations and saline polluted waters. 1700 MEHWISH NASEER & MANSOOR HAMEED

Sub-mountainous water bodies

10 cm

Dape Sharif

10 cm

Domeli

Kirana Hills

10 cm

Wastelands

10 cm

Motorway 3 Motorway

Salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions

10 cm

Jahlar Lake

Kalar Lake Kahar

10 cm

Fig. 2. Cyperus laevigatus collection sites from sub-mountainous water bodies, wastelands and salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions. GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF HALOPHYTIC ALONG SALINITY & ALTITUDE 1701

Saline waterlogged areas

Sargodha

10 cm

Sangla Hill

10 cm

Sahianwala

10 cm

Saltwater fish ponds

Pakka Anna

10 cm

Fig. 3. Cyperus laevigatus collection sites from saline waterlogged areas and saltwater fish ponds.

Associated species at each study site apparently lancifolius. These grasses are found above 1500 m altered not only with salinity gradient but also with altitude and are dominant component of moisture altitudinal gradient (Table 3). Associated species at habitats like hill torrents, mountains springs and riverbanks (Rasul) mainly dominated by the member of marshy areas (Hussain et al., 2016). At Treemu site, C. family Cyperacea, mostly Fimbristylis spp. However, laevigatus was associated with two sedge species along the most dominating component of vegetation was with Typha domingensis. This habitat was moderately Schoenoplectus corymbosus, and that was followed by salt affected supporting more salt tolerant monocot Typha domingensis. Both Schoenoplectus spp. (S. species like Typha and Schoenoplectus (Akhtar et al., lacustris, S. juncoides and S. triqueter) and Typha spp. 2016). Baloki dominated mainly by sedges like (T. domingensis, T. elephantina and T. latifolia) are the (Fimbristylis bisumbellata, Cyperus compressus and dominant component of wetlands all over the Punjab Schoenoplectus corymbosus), but the most dominant (Sardar et al., 2013) that provide food, shelter and component at this habitat was Cynodon dactylon. This breeding site to a number of aquatic wildlife species species is capable of tolerating a variety of habitats (Bilal et al., 2013). Temperate mountains (Bhurban) including wetlands and complete dominance can be depicted association of C. laevigatus with high altitude expected at low salinities all over the Punjab (Hameed grasses, Oplismenus undulatifolius and Arthraxon et al., 2013). 1702 MEHWISH NASEER & MANSOOR HAMEED

Table 1. Soil physico-chemical characteristics of Cyperus laevigatus L. populations collected from different regions of Punjab. Site Soil texture ECe (dS m-1) pH SP Na+ (mg kg-1) Cl- (mg kg-1) Riverbanks Rasul Sandy loam 1.2 7.3 27.3 90.2 182.17 Temperate mountains Bhurban Sandy loam 1.8 8.2 31.2 103.4 200.7 Seasonal inundations Treemu Loamy sand 5.5 6.9 24.1 337.71 341.57 Baloki Loam 1.7 7.6 29.8 178.3 440.4 Saline polluted waters Ucchkera Loamy sand 3.6 7.2 25.0 175.5 437.45 Khanki Clayey loam 6.0 7.7 32.3 357.6 557.2 Sub-mountainous water bodies Dape Sharif Sandy loam 3.2 8.7 35.0 151.6 410.4 Domeli Sandy loam 3.5 9.1 32.6 172.7 435.8 Kirana Hills Clayey loam 5.3 8.4 36.5 300.8 501.6 Wastelands Motorway 3 Loam 4.2 6.8 25.6 301.7 482.3 Salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions Jahlar Lake Sandy loam 16.7 7.49 35.6 2848.7 1629.18 Kalar Kahar Lake Loam 37.4 7.7 34.9 4046.2 2159.4 Saline waterlogged areas Sargodha Loam to clayey Loam 4.8 7.1 40.7 3217.5 1394.7 Sangla Hill Loam 19.5 6.7 33.5 3411.9 1718.6 Sahianwala Saline-sodic 47.8 8.2 41.1 5856.4 2753.8 Saltwater fish ponds Pakka Anna Sandy loam 32.6 8.6 38.4 3749.6 1926.1 Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.122N.S. 0.666** 0.958*** 0.972*** with ECe N.S.: Not-significant, **: Significant at p>0.01, ***: Significant at p>0.001

In Ucchkera, C. laevigatus was associated with species are wide spread throughout the Punjab (Riaz et Cyperus compressus and Desmostachya bipinnata, where al., 2009; Hanif et al., 2012. Salt lakes in the Salt Range the main source of pollution was industrial effluents are characterized by hyper-saline waters (Hameed et al., containing large quantities of metal ions like Cd2+ and 2008) that support very specific species. The Jahlar Lake Ni2+ (Ashraf et al., 2012). Pollution at Khanki was by is situated at the highest point in Salt Range among all sewage disposal containing pollutants like detergents, lakes or lakes of Ucchali complex (Ali et al., 2011), soaps and nutrients (Altaf et al., 2013) and C. laevigatus where C. laevigatus showed association with Typha was associated with floating hydrophytes like Pistia domingensis and Fimbristylis dichotoma. The Kalar stratiotes and Eichornea crassipes along with tall Kahar Lake, in contrast, is dominated by some tolerant submerged species like Cyperus alopecuroides and Typha species like Typha domingensis and Phragmites karka domingensis (Table 3). Among sub-mountainous water along with spreading Cynodon dactylon and Polypogon bodies, Dape Sharif is situated at the highest altitude, monspeliensis. The most dominant, however, was therefore, associated species are much different from the Schoenoplectus lacustris that completely invade shallow other sub-mountainous water bodies. At Dape Sharif, waters in the lake along with C. laevigatus. dominant species were Carex fedia and Typha Saline waterlogged areas in the vicinity of Faisalabad elephantina. Carex fedia was only reported from Dape district was completely dominated by Typha domingensis Sharif in the Salt Range and like other Carex species it is (Table 3), however, other associated species with C. restricted to high altitudes (Öztürk et al., 2015). In laevigatus were site specific. At Sargodha Cynodon Domeli, C. laevigatus was associated with grasses like dactylon dominated the area, at Sangla Hill Ochthocloa Saccharum spontaneum and Cynodon dactylon and a compressa, Desmostachya bipinnata and Phragmites sedge Fimbristylis dichotoma. C laevigatus was karka were the dominant species. Fimbristylis dichotoma associated with Cynodon dactylon and Phragmites karka and Leptochloa fusca were associated with C. laevigatus along with one weedy dicot species Convolvlus arvensis. at Sahianwala. Saltwater fish ponds were constructed in The later species dominates the whole Kirana Hills as was vast saline wasteland at Pakka Anna where there grasses reported by Iqbal et al. (2016). Ochthocloa compressa, Aeluropus alopecuroides and The wasteland along Motorway 3 was dominated by Leptochloa fusca dominated the area. All these species some noxious weeds like Ranunculus muricatus, Cyperus are salt indicator that colonize salt-affected lands all over rotundus and Cynodon dactylon (Table 3), and all these the Punjab. GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF HALOPHYTIC ALONG SALINITY & ALTITUDE 1703

Table 2. Details of collection sites of Cyperus laevigatus L. populations along with their habitat ecology. Elevation Site of collection Coordinates Habitat description (m asl) Riverbanks 32º42’23.4”N Rasul Headworks was constructed on River Jhelum near Mandi Bahauddin city. Rasul 211.23 73º32’49.2”E The population was collected along river bank Temperate mountains The highest altitude in the Punjab province with cool, temperate climatic 33º57’32.6”N Bhurban 1817.22 conditions. Plants established their along freshwater pond are in sparse patches, but 73º27’12.4”E taller than those from many other locations Seasonal inundations River Jhelum and Chenab meet at Treemu Headworks. The population was 31’09’01.7”N Treemu 149.05 collected from seasonal inundations on a road towards Layyah, and moderately salt- 72’07’30.8”E affected 31º14’19.1”N Baloki Headworks was constructed in River Ravi. The population was established Baloki 192.94 73º52’11.5”E near seasonal inundations, where soil was not affected by salts Saline polluted waters Brackish and metal-polluted water from sewage and industries are treated at 31º27’25.1”N Ucchkera 180.44 Ucchkera by water treatment plants. The population of C. leavigatus was collected 73º00’33.7”E along waste water ponds Khanki Headworks was constructed on River Chenab. The population was collected 32º24’20.4”N Khanki 218.54 from saline polluted water drain containing industrial wastes, and this water is 74º00’53.1”E disposed off in the river Sub-mountainous water bodies 32º31’49.9”N A beautiful point in the Soone Valley (Salt Range) with relatively mild summers Dape Sharif 831.79 72º00’25.0”E and cool winters. Plants are along brine mountain spring with low salinity Domeli is a game reserve, but heavily disturbed area by livestock grazing. 33º01’48.5”N Domeli 378.56 Population of C. laevigatus was established along freshwater permanent mountain 73º20’04.9”E spring in foothill zone near Sohawa City on northeastern side of the Salt Range Kirana Hills are the small group of stony hills near Sargodha city, which is heavily 32º56’55.1”N Kirana Hills 185.92 disturbed by stone crushing activity. The vegetation is facing severe dust pollution. 72º43’06.5”E The population was collected from a small marshy pond, slightly saline in nature Wastelands Motorways-3 was constructed about 3 years ago by completely clearing vegetation, 31º20’53.6”N and all species that established along this road are new colonizers. Cyperus Motorway 3 177.39 72º47’53.6”E laevigatus established afterwards on damp, waterlogged patches along water channels nearby agricultural fields Salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions 32º29’49.5”N Jahlar Lake is relatively smaller lake of the Ucchali Complex (the Ramsar site). The Jahlar Lake 830.27 72º05’06.6”E water is hypersaline supporting only few halophytic species like C. alopecuroides A saltmarsh and a beautiful recreational point in the Salt Range. The lake is 32º46’21.1”N dominated by two species, Schoenoplects lacustris and Phragmites karka. The Kalar Kahar Lake 644.04 72º42’52.1”E population of C. laevigatus was collected along the bank, plants were relatively short-structured Saline waterlogged areas 32’00’29.8”N The population was from waterlogged areas along general traffic road near Sial-mor Sargodha 187.45 73’01’07.6”E interchange on a way towards Sargodha. The habitat was slightly salt-affected 31’42’56.3”N Heavily salt-affected waterlogged area along roadside. The population was dense Sangla Hill 197.81 73’22’24.3”E but much smaller in length 31º39’46.6”N The area is heavily saline and waterlogged. The population was relatively small but Sahianwala 190.80 73º13’25.7”E in very dense patches along hyper-saline wetland Saltwater fish ponds The area is severely affected by high dryland salinity, where Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) started their effort to reclaim the soil by 31º14’58.8”N Pakka Anna 175.26 cultivation of many succulents and salt excretory halophytes. The population was 72º47’54.7”E collected from the bank of brackish fish ponds, used for raising saltwater fish species. Population was quite dense and taller in length Pearson’s correlation coefficient -0.124 N.S. with ECe asl: Above sea level N.S.: Not-significant

1704 MEHWISH NASEER & MANSOOR HAMEED

Table 3. Ecological characteristics of Cyperus laevigatus L. populations collected from different regions of Punjab. Site of collection Density % Cover Associated species Riverbanks Rasul 52 15.9 Fimbristylis miliacea, Fimbristylis dichotoma, Fimbristylis bisumbellata, Typha domingensis, Schoenoplectus corymbosus Temperate mountains Bhurban 83 20.0 Oplismenus undulatifolius, Arthraxon lancifolius Seasonal inundations Treemu 197 47.6 Kyllinga triceps, Typha domingensis, Schoenoplectus juncoides Baloki 86 22.5 Cynodon dactylon, Fimbristylis bisumbellata, Cyperus compressus, Schoenoplectus corymbosus Saline polluted waters Ucchkera 150 33.2 Cyperus compressus, Desmostachya bipinnata Khanki 257 60.1 Cyperus alopecuroides, Eichornea crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Typha domingensis Sub-mountainous water bodies Dape Sharif 215 54.8 Eleocharis palustris, Carex fedia, Juncus sp., Typha elephantina Domeli 120 32.9 Saccharum spontaneum, Cynodon dactylon, Fimbristylis dichotoma Kirana Hills 101 29.0 Cynodon dactylon, Phragmites karka, Convolvulus arvensis Wastelands Motorway 3 162 47.2 Ranunculus muricatus, Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon Salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions Jahlar Lake 340 77.3 Typha domingensis, Fimbristylis dichotoma Kalar Kahar Lake 254 58.3 Typha domingensis, Cynodon dactylon, Phragmites karka, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Polypogon monspeliensis Saline waterlogged areas Sargodha 61 19.5 Cynodon dactylon, Typha domingensis Sangla Hill 388 86.4 Ochthocloa compressa, Desmostachya bipinnata, Typha domingensis, Phragmites karka Sahianwala 472 89.1 Fimbristylis dichotoma, Leptochloa fusca, Typha domingensis Saltwater fish ponds Pakka Anna 421 96.1 Ochthocloa compressa, Aeluropus alopecuroides, Leptochloa fusca Pearson’s correlation 0.771*** 0.714** coefficient with ECe **: Significant at p>0.01, ***: Significant at p>0.001

Table 4. Growth characteristics of Cyperus laevigatus L. populations collected from different regions of Punjab. Site of collection Plant height (cm) Fresh weight (Plant-1) Dry weight (Plant-1) Riverbanks Rasul 47 14.34 3.08 Temperate mountains Bhurban 51 15.28 1.89 Seasonal inundations Treemu 55 16.32 1.65 Baloki 45 16.93 1.43 Saline polluted waters Ucchkera 22 7.98 1.63 Khanki 12 6.49 0.13 Sub-mountainous water bodies Dape Sharif 39 16.78 1.76 Domeli 38 18.05 1.74 Kirana Hills 40 15.36 1.23 Wastelands Motorway 3 67 15.23 2.01 Salt marshes in sub-mountainous regions Jahlar Lake 54 20.84 1.83 Kalar Kahar Lake 18 7.08 1.51 Saline waterlogged areas Sargodha 52 15.75 1.77 Sangla Hill 19 7.49 1.55 Sahianwala 33 11.34 2.08 Saltwater fish ponds Pakka Anna 72 22.98 4.51 Pearson’s correlation coefficient with ECe -0.170N.S. -0.200 N.S. -0.280 N.S. N.S.: Not significant GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF HALOPHYTIC ALONG SALINITY & ALTITUDE 1705

Fig. 4. PCA (Principal Correspondence Analysis) showing biplot of a. collection sites versus soil physicochemical characteristics and b. collection sites versus eco-morphological characteristics. 1706 MEHWISH NASEER & MANSOOR HAMEED

Morphological characteristics: The maximum growth References (plant height, fresh and dry weights) was recorded at Aali, K.A., M. Parsinejad and B. Rahmani. 2009. Estimation of Pakka Anna (Table 4) which is heavily salt-affected but saturation percentage of soil using multiple regression, ANN, the soil texture is relatively soft. This kind of habitat and ANFIS techniques. Comp. Infor. Sci., 2: 127-137. seems to be most suitable for growth and germination of Abu Bakar, M.Z., M. Akram, M.S. Khan and M.U. Khan. 2013. C. laevigatus as was also reported for other hydro- A study to correlate uniaxial compressive strength and halophytes like (Qadir et al., 2008; Hasanuzzaman et al., Schmidt hammer rebound number for selected rocks of Pakistan. J. Pak. Inst. Chem. Eng., 41: 49-58 2014). Soil compactness apparently directly related to Akhtar, N., M. Hameed and R. Ahmad. 2016. Structural and growth and propagation of this species as most of the functional aspects of ionic relation in roots of Typha habitats with more compact soils possessed shorter domingensis Pers. ecotypes under salt stress. Pak. J. Bot., plants e.g., Sangla Hill, Sahianwala, Kalar Kahar Lake. 48: 2195-2203. Similar findings have been also observed by Hamza & Ali, Z., S.Y. Shelly, F. Bib, G. Joshua, A.M. Khan, B.N. Khan and Anderson (2005) who reported restricted growth in M. Akhtar. 2011. Salt Range wetlands complex, exploratory/baseline survey. J. Anim. Plant Sci., 21: 410-414. compact soils. Altaf, M., A. Javid, Irfan, M.A. Munir, S. Ashraf, K J. Iqbal, M. Another important factor for restricted growth and Umair, Z. Ali and A.M. Khan. 2013. Diversity, distribution development in this species was the pollutants, either and ecology of birds in summer season at head Khanki, from industrial sources or from sewerage. Plants Punjab, Pakistan. 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(Received for publication 17 July 2016)